Bangor police investigating shooting; victim believed to be toddler

Police responded to the scene of a shooting at 54 Bald Mountain Drive Wednesday at 4:42 p.m. in Bangor. The Bangor Fire Department transported one victim to a local emergency room and their condition is unknown.

Brian Feulner | BDN

Brian Feulner | BDN

Police responded to the scene of a shooting at 54 Bald Mountain Drive Wednesday at 4:42 p.m. in Bangor. The Bangor Fire Department transported one victim to a local emergency room and their condition is unknown.

Brian Feulner | BDN

Brian Feulner | BDN

Neighbors, David, left, and his mother Sandra Smith believe a 2-year-old girl accidentally was shot in the throat next door to their home Wednesday evening. Police responded to the scene of a shooting at 54 Bald Mountain Drive Wednesday at 4:42 p.m. in Bangor. The Bangor Fire Department transported one victim to a local emergency room and their condition is unknown.

Brian Feulner | BDN

Brian Feulner | BDN

Police responded to the scene of a shooting at 54 Bald Mountain Drive Wednesday at 4:42 p.m. in Bangor. The Bangor Fire Department transported one victim to a local emergency room and their condition is unknown.

BANGOR, Maine — City police are investigating a shooting involving a 2-year-old girl at an apartment building on Bald Mountain Drive.

Bangor emergency medical personnel and police were called to 54 Bald Mountain Drive about 4:42 p.m., according to Sgt. Catherine E. Rumsey, public information officer for the Bangor Police Department. She said the victim was taken to a local hospital and that the victim’s medical condition was not known.

Though police at the scene did not release any further details, next door neighbors David Smith, who is a crossing guard, and his mother, Sandra Smith, said that the victim was a 2-year-old girl.

David Smith, who said he heard one shot fired, believes the shooting was accidental and that the gun went off when it hit the floor.

Sandra Smith said she wasn’t sure how or why the gun discharged.

“All I know is that [the girl’s father] came running out and put those kids down over there and said, ‘Call 911! Call 911!’” she said.

According to the Smiths, the incident happened while the toddler was at home with her father and her two siblings, an older brother and an older sister, when the incident happened. The child’s mother was at work, the Smiths said.

The Smiths said they were taking care of the other two children while the injured child’s parents are at the hospital. Sandra Smith said the toddler’s parents have lived in the apartment building for about five years.

Rumsey said further information will be released when it is available.